Forest Kingdom Trilogy 1 - Blue Moon Rising

blue eyes were full of a secret knowledge. An aura of power and forboding hung around him like a shroud. Rupert studied the Astrologer, puzzled. In the few short months he'd been gone from the Court, Thomas Grey seemed to have grown in stature and influence. Not to mention bravery; there were few indeed who dared to contradict the Champion to his face. Rupert frowned. The Astrologer was too confident for his liking; magic might be the only answer to the darkness, but only a full sorcerer could hope to turn back the Darkwood. And Thomas Grey wasn't a sorcerer.
    'Your majesty!' called a resonant, commanding voice from among the nearest courtiers. Rupert turned to look as a short fat man in gorgeous gravy-stained robes pushed his way forward. Sharp, piggy eyes peered from under plucked eyebrows, and his rouged mouth was pursed in a constant scowl. He stopped opposite the Champion, and bowed perfunctorily to the throne. 'Your majesty, as Minister for War, I really must protest ...'
    'All right,' said the Champion equably, 'you've protested. Now beat it, we've got work to do.'
    The Minister's face flushed with rage, but his voice was cold and hard. 'Whether you approve or not, sir Champion, I am the King's Minister for War. Address me in such an insolent fashion again, and I'll have you flogged.'
    The Champion's hand dropped to his swordhilt. The Minister paled suddenly and fell back.
    'Sir Champion,' said the King, 'draw on one of my Ministers and I'll have your head.'
    For a moment it seemed the Champion would ignore him, but the moment passed, and he took his hand away from his sword. The Minister started breathing again.
    'He insulted me,' said the Champion.
    'You insulted my Minister,' said the King icily. 'An insult to him is an insult to me. Is that clear?'
    'Of course, your majesty,' said the Champion, inclining his head slightly. 'I live only to serve you.'
    The King turned his attention to the Minister. 'If you have something to contribute to the discussion, Lord Darius, by all means do so.'
    'Your majesty is most gracious,' said Lord Darius, glaring at the Champion. 'It seems to me that both sir Champion and the Astrologer have overlooked the most obvious answer to our present difficulties. Since neither force of arms nor magic can hope to stand against the Darkwood, we must clearly fall back upon the one remaining course of action — diplomacy.'
    There was a short pause. Rupert didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
    'The man's insane,' said the Champion. 'Talk with demons? You might as well argue with a thunderstorm. Demons kill to live, and live to kill.'
    'For once, I agree with sir Champion,' said the Astrologer, staring coldly at Lord Darius. 'The Darkwood is the incarnation of darkness upon the earth. All that thrives within it is evil. Demons are not living creatures such as us; they exist only to serve the Darkwood.'
    'They don't serve just the Darkwood,' said Darius softly. A sudden silence fell over the Court. Rupert stared at the Minister with growing horror as he realised what Darius was implying.
    'You can't be serious,' said the Astrologer.
    'Why not?' said Darius. 'How else do you explain the Darkwood's sudden growth? There's only one possible answer. The Demon Prince has returned.'
    'A legend,' said the Champion, too quickly. 'A tale told to frighten children.'
    'Some legends are true,' said Rupert quietly, but only Julia heard him. She took his hand, and squeezed it briefly.
    'Men have struck deals with the Demon Prince before,' said Darius, persuasively. 'Why else would demons haunt the Castle grounds night after night, so far from the Darkwood? They're waiting for us to go to them and make a compact.'
    'I'll strike no bargains with the dark,' said King John.
    'But what if we give the Demon Prince what he desires ...' The Minister's voice died away beneath the King's cold, angry gaze.
    'What do you suggest, Minister? That I surrender the villages to him, in the hope he'll spare this Castle?'
    'Why not?' said Darius flatly. 'As sir Champion has already pointed out, what are the lives of a few peasants against the security of the Forest Kingdom?'
    This is madness!' roared the Champion. 'I meant we should fight the darkness, not surrender to it! Set a blood sacrifice for the Demon Prince and we'll never be free of him!'
    'Such a plan would destroy us all!' grated the Astrologer. 'We either stand against the dark or fall beneath it!'
    'Your majesty, as Minister for War I must protest ...'
    'Shut